Water Withdrawals, Transfers, Sustainable Use and Policy in Indiana

Recent proposals for increasing large water withdrawals across the state, such as the Lebanon LEAP project, have led to more discussions about Indiana's water resilience, including:

Is Indiana’s water policy equipped to ensure that our water use is sustainable?
Would large withdrawals affect current water users, the river ecosystem, or future development?
Is data available for Indiana water researchers to address these questions?
What policy options could be considered?

This forum gathered Indiana water science and policy experts and decision-makers to describe where we are today in terms of water knowledge and how we might move forward to safeguard sustainable water use in Indiana.

Recording of the Virtual Forum (YouTube)

Q&A, with answers provided by panel members
Provide feedback or suggestions for follow-up

Agenda:

1:30 pm	Introduction: The context and vision for this Virtual Forum Jane Frankenberger, Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer, Purdue University
*1:35 pm*	*Part 1: Water Rights,* *Transfers,* *and Withdrawals in Indiana*
	Introduction to this section and speakers: Jill Hoffman, Executive Director, White River Alliance
1:38 pm	Indiana’s Water Rights, Use and Water Shortage Plan Mark Basch, Head, Water Rights & Use Section; and Ryan Mueller, Deputy Director of Regulatory Services, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
2:00 pm	Questions and Discussion about Indiana’s water rights, use, or water shortage plan Please submit questions using the Q&A button. Moderator Jane Frankenberger
*2:10 pm*	*Part 2: Data and Information Needs for Sustainable Water Use*
	Introduction to this section and speakers: Jane Frankenberger, Purdue University
2:10 pm	Potential impacts of large withdrawals on groundwater: What we need to know
	Ginger Davis, Research Hydrogeologist, Indiana Geological & Water Survey
2:20 pm	Potential impacts of large water transfers on surface water: What we need to know
	Keith Cherkauer, Professor, Purdue University; Director of the Indiana Water Resources Research Center
2:30 pm	Questions and Discussion about data and information needs for sustainable water use Please submit questions using the Q&A button. Moderator Jane Frankenberger
*2:40 pm*	*Part 3: Potential Policy to Advance Sustainable Water Use*
	Introduction to this section and speakers. Bill Blomquist, White River Alliance
2:40 pm	Ohio’s Water Inventory and Planning Permitting Program Brad Lodge, Water Inventory and Planning Program Manager, Ohio Dept of Natural Resources.
2:55 pm	Why I proposed HB 1556 Rep. Mike Aylesworth, Indiana House of Representatives District 11
3:05 pm	Questions and Discussion about potential policy to advance sustainable water use Please submit questions using the Q&A button. Moderator Bill Blomquist
3:15	Questions and Discussion for any speaker. Final words by presenters. Suggestions by all participants for moving forward (in Chat). lease submit questions using the Q&A button, and comments in the Chat. Moderator Bill Blomquist
*3:30 pm*	*End of Forum*.

We would also like to recognize and thank the members of Purdue's ISF Water Challenges Research Community and the White River Alliance for their efforts in organizing this event.

Contact Details

Jane Frankenberger

frankenb@purdue.edu

765-494-1194

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Date & time

April 14, 2023

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Location

Virtual; registration required

Website

Event website